Mage And Wolf
Chapter 242

Chapter 242: Chapter 242

"Is that something cultivators can even do? It looks like she’s a magician." One of the girls says with a giggle, making Karl laugh.

"At higher levels it is. Mystic cultivators from Condensation onwards and Physical Cultivators starting at core formation should have enough external energy control to do something close to that. At least one dish at a time. An actual mage her level could use a spell to create a helper to do it." He explains.

"You say that like Mages are a thing? Aren’t they just a local myth about wandering cultivators? That’s what our teacher told us about the stories." A boy asks.

Karl summons a Bunny Golem, which heads to the kitchen and starts collecting dishes to set the table. The action startles everyone, including the Red Dragon, who hasn’t seen a mage type cultivator in quite a while, especially among the humans.

"Mage type cultivators are rare, but they do exist. It’s the lack of available spells that keeps more Mystic cultivators from following that path. Once you get started, it’s hard to change over, even if you do start learning spells in the future, because of the difference in internal energy types."

The Golems have set the table and are bringing the finished dishes to be served while I pull the baking from the ovens and rapidly chill them to lukewarm. After scaring everyone with the Domain I don’t need them burning their mouths on the dinner rolls and getting an even worse impression of me.

An Orphanage is a lively place, at least this one is, with two dozen kids all chattering away about how their days went. There aren’t many really young kids here, mostly age ten and above, which could be either a good sign that the younger ones are being looked after by their parents or foster homes now that things have been relatively stable a while, or a really bad sign that they’re not surviving at all. I’m thinking it’s the former, the city seems pretty decent so far.

As we eat I learn the stories of the children here, many lost their families to the portal openings, some to the aftermath of the political upheaval. But surprisingly, a few came through the portals themselves, hoping that this side would be better, and were taken in by the Demons and dropped off at the Orphanage.

"I told them I could cook and clean, just like at home, but they said they didn’t hire untrained workers and dropped me here." A boy about twelve years old laughs as he finishes his story about fleeing from his life as a slave.

"Of all people, a Succubus turned down a human worker. This city really is a strange one, but it’s a big improvement on the Demon Realm." One of the others agrees.

It looks like we won’t be having any serious problems with the Succubus Queen and her formerly beleaguered empire, the nature of the city is enough to keep them satisfied and thriving. You have to measure everything an adult says, but kids tend to have no filter. Get them together in a group and you’ll learn all sorts of things.

After the meal, Karl changes into his casual wear, jeans and a Harley shirt with a black leather jacket and boots, then we both set off again to explore the city a bit more. We’ve seen the good side of the city, now let’s see what the underside looks like. Maybe a quick visit to one of the smaller bars or gambling halls might turn up a different story, hidden from the public. Hopefully not, but we would be neglectful to not even check.

Listening to conversations with my enhanced hearing, I think I’ve found us the perfect spot, a back alley unlicensed casino, that sounds like it has had some shady dealings with cursed items. If anywhere in this city is going to show us the worst of them, that should be the place. Karl used a spell on the man I heard about it from, a ragged looking drunkard begging for coins to gamble, and got the password to the casino from him. A cliche phrase, but not something you’d randomly hear often.

We hold off on going over, not wanting to arrive in the early afternoon while it’s empty, but another of the man’s friends stops by while we’re having coffee at a shop down the street and pulls him towards the location of the casino, mentioning something about prime time and getting there before the evening patrols come out. I almost forgot the city is full of demons, many of whom are nocturnal, so night time is just as busy in the streets, afternoon is the late night here, when most everyone is home and resting.

With that in mind, Karl leads us over after buying a grade 1 core worth of the new Tokens, that are quickly becoming available all across the city today, delivered by messenger from the Queen and traded for their old coins and casino chips. If there’s one thing to be said about her rule, she’s efficient.

He also keeps a single grade 1 core in his pocket, not wanting to pull anything from a storage ring in a seedy bar, cultivators can sense the energy fluctuating as you activate it. Making our way to the designated location, Karl taps a five note rhythm on the door, something that I didn’t hear mentioned as part of the routine, but the door opens enough to show a Demon, dressed like one of Earth’s Bikers.

"I’m here to see a man about a dog." Karl smiles, showing him the grade 1 monster core.

"Come on in then, but keep a good watch on your pretty friend, you know how it can be." The man nods, ushering us inside.

The first thing that hits me is the smell of smoke. Cigarettes, a variety of drugs, an incense that increases energy and muddles the mind. Then it’s the crowd, other than a couple down and out types in the corner, it’s just a biker bar. Karl fits right in, but there’s a few rough looking cultivators here as well. This isn’t the drunkards favorite spot like I suspected, it’s an upgrade from that which he must have just heard about.

Karl comes back with drinks and a collection of wedge shaped silver chips and we head to a blackjack table in the corner. We’ve only had time for a few hands when the first idiot of the night approaches.

"Hey pretty lady, how about you ditch the chump and come dance with me?" He asks, spinning my stool to face him.

"Are you sure?" I ask sweetly, smiling at him and letting a hint of my Domain slip.

"Crap, a Celestial. Sorry, I didn’t mean it." He says, looking at my all black eyes and backing away with his hands up before bolting from the room, with the crowd looking at him like he’s an idiot.

"Well that’s one way to deal with trouble. Pair of eights." The dealer says to Karl with a smirk.

"Split, and find us a round of Tequila, I think I like it here." Karl answers and we settle back in for an afternoon of entertainment.